U.S.A.F. Thunderbird Advance Team To Visit Lafayette Regional Airport
The Sertoma Club of Lafayette recently announced plans for the 2011 Sertoma Cajun Air Festival, featuring the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. The 2011 show is scheduled for October 29th and 30th at the Lafayette Regional Airport.
In preparation for their performance, an advance team will arrive at 4pm on Friday, February 11th. The team will consist of Captain Kristin Hubbard, who serves as the Thunderbird #8 pilot, advance pilot and narrator. She will be accompanied by a Thunderbird crew chief.
Thunderbird #8, a U.S.A.F. F-16D aircraft, will arrive at approximately 4pm. Upon arrival, Captain Hubbard will perform several aerial survey maneuvers for approximately 10-15 minutes. During these maneuvers, which will be performed between 500’ and 2500’, Captain Hubbard will visually check the airfield and surrounding areas in preparation for the team’s October performance.
Upon completion of the aerial survey, Captain Hubbard will land the F-16D and taxi to Odyssey Aviation (123 Grissom Drive, Lafayette).
THIS IS NOT A PUBLIC EVENT. ONLY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA ARE INVITED.
Capt. Kristin Hubbard, 30, is the advance pilot/narrator for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds," flying the No. 8 jet. She entered the Air Force in 2002 from the University of Washington. Before joining the team, Captain Hubbard was an instructor pilot and flight commander for the 62nd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. She has logged nearly 1,300 flight hours in the F-16. Captain Hubbard is in her second season with the team, and hails from Renton, Wash.
A brief history of the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds
In 1947, while the jet age was still in its infancy, military aviation was hurtled into the future with the creation of the U.S. Air Force as a separate service. Just six years later, on May 25, 1953, the Air Force's official air demonstration team, designated the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit, was activated at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
The name Thunderbirds was soon adopted by the unit; influenced in part by the strong Indian culture and folklore of the southwestern United States where Luke is located. Indian legend speaks of the Thunderbird with great fear and respect. To some it was a giant eagle, others envisioned a hawk. When it took to the skies, the earth trembled from the thunder of its great wings. From its eyes shot bolts of lightning. Nothing in nature could challenge the bird of thunder, the story of the Thunderbird was repeated, voice-by-voice, across the generations, until at last, it assumed the immortality of legend.
A more appropriate name couldn't have been selected, as it is with the same commanding presence the Thunderbirds took to the skies. Seven officers and 22 enlisted were selected for the first demonstration team, most were handpicked from the cadre at Luke.
Millions of people have witnessed the Thunderbird demonstrations, and in turn, they’ve seen the pride, professionalism and dedication of hundreds of thousands of Airmen serving at home and abroad. Each year brings another opportunity for the team to represent those who deserve the most credit; the everyday, hard-working airman voluntarily serving America and defending freedom.
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